As a Christian, it is one thing to Say I believe in Jesus Christ, and another thing to Act on what I believe. It is one thing to Say I “have accepted” Jesus into my heart, and it is quite another thing to accept what Jesus has said, obey, and do it. This raises difficult questions:
As a disciple of Jesus Christ, how devoted am I/are you to follow The Savior and Lord all the way to the end? How sold out am I/are you to the Cause? How committed am I to the Fight, and to stay in it? How available am I for the Kingdom Advance? (Matthew 11:12).
Is it Conditional – “It depends, As long as”…
- I feel it?
- I am “in to it”?
- I am winning?
- I don’t fall?
- I don’t fail?
- I don’t get hurt?
- I am strong enough?
- I am able enough?
- I am good enough?
OR
Is It Consequential – “Since/Because”…
- I have love for the Father (Psalm 18:1-3)
- I have Father’s love for me (1 John. 3:1-3)
- I have the Blood of Christ over me (Hebrews 9:14)
- I have the Breath of Holy Spirit in me (Ephesians 1:13-14)
- I have Blood in my veins (Psalm 90:12)
- I have Beat in my heart (Job 14:5)
- I have Breath in my lungs (Psalm 39:4-5)
- I no longer live but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20)
Clearly, It is one thing to be called a Christian, and another thing to be known as Disciple of Christ. Which am I? Which are you?
With no conditions, I desire to be a devoted, sold out, committed, and available disciple of Jesus Christ, for as long as… it takes. This I already know, that I surely cannot pull it off by myself, but by the Grace of God alone, and the Power of God alone, I will. Only He knows.
—RWO/MAST
Comments by Ric Ochsner